Java Island

Java Island

Java Island situated at the position between 5,5⁰’-7,5⁰’ South Latitude and 104⁰ 46’-180⁰ 46’ East Longitude. The province of West Java is a mountainous area that ranges through center from the West to the East with volcano peaks. Blue volcanoes towering over green surdrenched plains. Cool hillside resorts over looking rolling valleys. Hamlets snoozing in the shade of trees. Tea, coffee and rubber plantations and sparkling beeches washed by the sea. Those are first impressions which greet the visitor to Java Island.

Java Island has it’s share of problems, and the biggest among them is that of it’s population. Java is the highest population density figures in the world. The result is much urbanization. The solution being offered by the government is resettlement  in less populous regions of the country and family planning. The latter has received acclaim as on of the more successful programs of it’s kind in the world.

Java’s population problem is a consequence of the exceptional fertility of the island’s volcanic soil. Not less than 121 volcanoes are strewn along the length of the island. Twenty seven are active, 15 are more than 3.000 meters high. Limestone hills are found only along the north and south coast of the island.

Since prehistoric times, Java’s fertile earth has supported human civilizations. In 1891 scientists found what they thought was the “Missing Link” between the world of primates and that of man : the fossilized remains of Pitchecanthropus Erectus, or  “Java Man”. Great kingdoms flourished on it’s plains during the Hindu and early Moslem periods of the island’s history ; Singosari, Kediri and Majapahit in East Java. Great monument were built, like Borobudur and Prambanan Temples in Central Java and numerous ones whose ruins scattered across the Cantral and East Javanese Landscape.

Having for centuries been the political and economic hub of the Indonesian archipelago. Java is today the country’s most advanced Moslem in terms of development, and modern facilities of travel, accommodation and sanitation could be taken for granted in all the major cities. The Java Island is divided into 4 Provinces, namely : Banten Province, West Java Province, Central Java and East Java Province and also one Special Disdtrict of Jakarta as Capital City of Indonesia and than Special Distrik of Yogyakarta. The closest province from the country’s capital city is West Java. A land of forest clad mountains, fertile plains and an extroverted people. Banten, the North Western  of West Java is commonly known as Daerah Banten or today Banten Province.

Traditional Costume

The costumes of Indonesia are national costume that represent Republic of Indonesia. It is derived from Indonesian culture and Indonesian traditional textile traditions. Today the most widely recognize Indonesian national costume are Batik and Kebaya, although originally those costumes are mainly belongs within the culture of Java and Bali, most prominently within Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese culture. Since Java is the center of Indonesian politics since colonial era, as well as the majority of Indonesian population, it is only natural that the folk costumes from Java are elevated into national status.

National costumes are worn during official national as well as traditional ceremonies. The most obvious display of Indonesian national costumes can be seen by the type of costumes wore by President of Indonesia and Indonesian first lady, and also Indonesian diplomatic officials during gala dinner. The national costumes of Indonesia can be seen wore by the guest of Indonesian traditional wedding ceremony.

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